Combing-wheel.



S. s nU R G L P..

MBING WHEEL.

APPLIOATION FILED Nov. 21. 1901.

N0 MODEL.

Ewen@ n UNITED STATES Patented June 2l, 1904.

PATENT OFFICE.

FRANK L. CROSS, OF MYSTIC, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR TO AMERICAN PAPERFEEDER COMPANY, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPO- RATION OF MAINE.

comerme-WHEEL.

SPECTFICATION forming part of Letters Patent NO. 763,159, dated June 21,1904.

Application file.J November 2l, 1901. Serial No. 83,091. (No model.)

To all 'wh/mt if. 711.11.11/ cmweln:

Beit known that I, FRANK L. CRoss, of Mystic, in the county of NewLondon and State of Connecticut, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Combing-VVheels, of which the following` is aspecification.

The invention relates to combing-wheels such as are used inpaper-feeding machines to comb or feather out the top sheets of a pile,advancing the top sheet to a greater extent than those beneath it, sothat it may be seized and separated from the pile, and relates moreespecially to that class of combing-wheels in in which thecombing-surface consists of small rolls arranged about the periphery ofthe wheel, so that they will act to form successive and progressingdepressions in the pile of sheets. Heretofore the rolls in suchcombingwheels have been mounted upon pins fixed about the periphery ofthe wheel, and the wheel has usually been held against the pile ofsheets during the combing by the weight of the wheel and supportingparts or by such weight assisted by a spring. lVith this construction asthe successive rolls are brought into engagement with and carried alongthe pile they throw the wheel upward. This causes the wheel to boundaway from the pile and to strike a succession of blows thereon as itmoves up and down, thus impairing the combing efciency of the wheel andunder some conditions resultingin an improper separation of the parts ofthe pile. This is one of the chief objections to these combingwheels,which becomes a serious objection in operating upon some kinds of paperand under some conditions of the pile. With the present invention thisobjection is eliminated, and a uniform and effective combing Vaction isassured under the varying conditions as to quality and thickness ofpaper and character of the pile of sheets met with in actual service.This is accomplished by so mounting the rolls about the periphery of theWheel that they may yield as they are carried against and along the pileof sheets and holding the rolls up to their work by springs. Iith thisconstruction each roll is forced against the pile with an even pressureas it travels along the pile, thus insuring an eflicient combing action.

The invention will be made more clear by referring' to a combing-wheelembodying the invention, and in the accompanying drawings I have shown awheel of simple and eh'icient construction made in accordance with theinvention. Y

In the drawings, Figure l is a side elevation of the combing-wheel, andFig. 2 is a detail of a roll-carrying frame.

In the drawings, A represents th combingwheel, which is mounted torotate in an arm B, carried by the shaft C in any usual manner. Thecombing-surface of the wheel consistsof a series of rolls D, arrangedabout the periphery of the wheel. As the wheel A is rapidly revolved therolls D are brought in rapid succession against and carried along thetop of the pile of sheets. Each roll forms a depression in the pile, andas the roll rolls along the top of the pile this depression travelsforward toward the front edge of the sheets. Thus progressingdepressions are formed in the pile in rapid succession, the effect ofwhich is to comb out the top sheets of the pile, the advancing effectbeing greatest in the top sheet and decreasing with the depth of thesheet in the pile.

To produce an effective, rapid, and regular comb, each roll should bearupon the pile with an even pressure as it rolls over the top sheet. Thisis assured by mounting the rolls D so that they may yield and holdingthem up to their work by springs. Inv the construction shown the rollsare mounted in the rear ends of frames E, pivoted in an annular groovein the rim of the wheel A. Aspiral springF is mounted on the pivot Grofeach frame, and one end of the spring acts upon the forward end of thatframe, while the other end acts upon the forward end of the nextfollowing frame. These springs hold the forward ends of the framesagainst the bottom of the groove in the wheel A, which forms a stop forlimiting the outer position of the rolls D.

As the rolls D engage the pile the springs F yield to allow the rolls totravel along the top sheet, and each roll is pressed evenly against thepile as it is brought against and carried along' the pile. rlhere is atall times during the combing at least one roll acting on the pile, andtherefore at least one depression traveling along' the pile, and thedepressions follow each other in regular and rapid succession, thusinsuring a regular and eii'ective comb oi' the sheets.

The construction also adds to the etlieieney oi' the combing action bycausing each roll to bear effectively upon the pile during its entiretravel against the top sheet.

What I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-i l. Acombing-wheel for sheet-feeding Inachines having a periphery consistingot' a series of spring-pressed rolls substantially as described.

2. A combing-wheel for sheet-feeding machinos having a series ofcircularly-arranged frames pivoted thereto, rolls carried by said framesand forming the periphery ot' the wheel and springs for holding theframes with the rolls in their outer position, substantially asdescribed.

3. A combing-Wheel for sheet-feeding inaehines supported by engagementwith the sheets, and having a periphery consisting of a series ofspring-prcssed rolls so arranged that one at least is always inengagement with the sheets during the combing, and a carrier for saidwheel, substantially as described.

In testimony whereotl 1 have attixed my signature in presence of twowitnesses.

FRANK L. CROSS.

Witnesses: Y

lRA L. FISH, KATHARINE A. DUoAN.

